The Case for a Detroit Do-Not-Draft List

Jeff Risdon sets a different agenda on the Detroit Lions Podcast. Not the usual mock. Not a wish list. A do-not-draft list. The focus is fit, risk, and timing for the Detroit Lions in the NFL Draft. He wants to plant flags now on prospects who match Detroit’s general profile yet still should be avoided at certain prices.

His lens is simple. What have we learned from recent cycles about traits, health, and roster priorities. Where does a strong prospect still become a poor bet for Detroit’s current build.

Drawing Lines From Past Drafts

Risdon rewinds to the tight end class that produced LaPorta. He recalls being on the field with Russell Brown and Chris at the Senior Bowl and watching Luke Musgrave struggle. Couldn’t beat a jam. Didn’t win contested balls. Red zone reps went nowhere. He was fine as a prospect. He just was not the right Lions pick. Detroit chose differently, and he was glad they did.

Last spring brought another caution. Landon Jackson, the defensive end from Arkansas, looked the part but lacked twitch. The concern was real enough that he hoped Detroit would pass. Again, a solid player. Just not the best choice for what the Lions needed then.

Why Jermott McCoy Gives Detroit Pause

The headline name is cornerback Jermott McCoy from Tennessee. He sits at No. 20 on the Detroit Lions Podcast consensus big board that Chris updates daily. The tape from 2024 at Tennessee is outstanding. First round caliber traits show up. Speed. Instincts. Power. Route adjustment. That is not the problem.

The issues are availability and experience. McCoy missed the 2025 season after a January 2025 injury. He was allegedly cleared but chose not to return. He did not work out at the combine because he still was not right. A pro day looms on March 31, but there is worry he might not go there either. He has 17 college starts across two programs. That combination of recent injury and limited mileage is a pass for Detroit at premium cost.

Roster context matters. Detroit likely has its top five cornerbacks on the roster already. The room feels competitive and deep enough that a first round corner is not a need. If they add, it should be someone they trust to play right away without medical questions. Risdon admits he is more cautious on injuries than many. That tension sits against a front office that has embraced risk before.

Wide Receiver Risk: Jordan Tyson

Jordan Tyson from Arizona State is a different kind of red flag. On skill, he might be the best wide receiver in this class. The problem is a lengthy injury history and a style that refuses self-preservation. He is still not working out post-injury. Detroit is loaded at wide receiver. That likely keeps the position off the board until the middle of Day 3, if not later. Talent is real. The fit and timing are not.

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